Colby Abrahamoff, '15
First year soccer player advocates using UR's Career Services early and often
May 8, 2012
When Colby Abrahamoff came to the University of Richmond in the fall of 2011, he was excited to explore different majors and to begin playing on the university's division I soccer team.
Abrahamoff's interests ranged from sociology to psychology and biochemistry. He even considered the Robins School of Business. With so many choices, the right defender turned for guidance to his academic and career adviser, Joslyn Bedell, in the Office of Alumni and Career Services.
"Each year I serve as an academic adviser to about ten first-year students pursuing a variety of interests and are not quite sure what they want to major," in said Bedell. "Colby had many interests and a variety of background experiences. Together, we brainstormed and talked about what he wants to do so that he can make the most out of his time at UR."
As a student athlete, Abrahamoff knew he would be increasingly busy balancing his schoolwork with his soccer schedule so he understood the importance of starting the career planning process early.
"It's much better to have a plan so that you are more organized, less stressed, you know what you want to do and what you need to do to accomplish it," said Abrahamoff. "The advisors and their resources in Career Services can help students make that plan."
Bedell agrees that using Career Services early on helps students to declare a major and apply for internships.
Abrahamoff and Bedell met during first-year orientation and she learned about his academic and extracurricular interests. She helped him plan out his courses for the spring semester and encouraged him to take classes that would help decide on a major.
During the fall semester, Bedell and several of her advisees, including Abrahamoff, had dinner together and happened to discuss the PPEL program, an interdisciplinary degree comprised of philosophy, political science, economics and law courses.
"It was great to learn about the PPEL program because it is a combination of many subject areas that I am interested in," said Abrahamoff. "Joslyn put it all in perspective and explained how I could connect my PPEL major to a career in consulting."
Touting the benefits of visiting Career Services during a student's first and second year in college, Bedell said: "Students who use Career Services during their freshman and sophomore years are more confident later on. Post-grad decisions appear less scary."
In the 2010-2011academic year, 26% of the first-year class utilized the resources offered by the Career Services team in the Office of Alumni and Career Services, in comparison to 17% of the first-year class in the 2008-2009.
Benefiting from Bedell's guidance, Abrahamoff is now considering participating in case competitions in the fall and continues to pursue his interest in consulting. He is considering declaring a biochemistry major and plans on using the summer and his sophomore year to reach his final decision. He credits Bedell with being instrumental in helping him understand how he can connect his many interests to a career after college and balancing athletics, academics and the planning process.
Abrahamoff's interests ranged from sociology to psychology and biochemistry. He even considered the Robins School of Business. With so many choices, the right defender turned for guidance to his academic and career adviser, Joslyn Bedell, in the Office of Alumni and Career Services.
"Each year I serve as an academic adviser to about ten first-year students pursuing a variety of interests and are not quite sure what they want to major," in said Bedell. "Colby had many interests and a variety of background experiences. Together, we brainstormed and talked about what he wants to do so that he can make the most out of his time at UR."
As a student athlete, Abrahamoff knew he would be increasingly busy balancing his schoolwork with his soccer schedule so he understood the importance of starting the career planning process early.
"It's much better to have a plan so that you are more organized, less stressed, you know what you want to do and what you need to do to accomplish it," said Abrahamoff. "The advisors and their resources in Career Services can help students make that plan."
Bedell agrees that using Career Services early on helps students to declare a major and apply for internships.
Abrahamoff and Bedell met during first-year orientation and she learned about his academic and extracurricular interests. She helped him plan out his courses for the spring semester and encouraged him to take classes that would help decide on a major.
During the fall semester, Bedell and several of her advisees, including Abrahamoff, had dinner together and happened to discuss the PPEL program, an interdisciplinary degree comprised of philosophy, political science, economics and law courses.
"It was great to learn about the PPEL program because it is a combination of many subject areas that I am interested in," said Abrahamoff. "Joslyn put it all in perspective and explained how I could connect my PPEL major to a career in consulting."
Touting the benefits of visiting Career Services during a student's first and second year in college, Bedell said: "Students who use Career Services during their freshman and sophomore years are more confident later on. Post-grad decisions appear less scary."
In the 2010-2011academic year, 26% of the first-year class utilized the resources offered by the Career Services team in the Office of Alumni and Career Services, in comparison to 17% of the first-year class in the 2008-2009.
Benefiting from Bedell's guidance, Abrahamoff is now considering participating in case competitions in the fall and continues to pursue his interest in consulting. He is considering declaring a biochemistry major and plans on using the summer and his sophomore year to reach his final decision. He credits Bedell with being instrumental in helping him understand how he can connect his many interests to a career after college and balancing athletics, academics and the planning process.
Associate Director, Employer Relationship Management
Provides leadership for the University of Richmond’s employer recruitment program (on campus interviewing, information sessions, employer brand marketing), including evaluation, outcome measurement, and recruitment statistics and data. Stewards r...